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News Herald taking reader questions on Hurricane Michael

News Herald (Panama City, FL)

Oct. 08--PANAMA CITY -- In the interest of providing the most up-to-date and important information to readers, we have opened our Bay Asked, We Answered series to take questions before and during Hurricane Michael.

We will be answering these questions in real-time, as quickly as possible. If you have questions about the storm strength, closures and cancellations, road or bridge closures or hurricane preparations, storm damage or power outages, submit them in the embed below and we will get to them as quickly as we can.

We will report the questions in real-time below. Have your own question? Scroll to the bottom and submit in the form provided.

Has any evacuation order been issued yet?

UPDATED:

On Monday, the Bay County Commission voted to begin mandatory evacuations for Zone A, B and C starting Tuesday.

If you need to determine your evacuation zone, Bay County has an interactive map here

What does a mandatory evacuation mean and what happens if you decide to stay after a mandatory evacuation is issued?

It means get out now, according to local officials and law enforcement. The mandatory evacuation goes into effect Tuesday at 6 a.m., though officials encouraged people to leave Monday if they can.

Sheriff Tommy Ford said they won't drag people out their houses if they choose to stay, but first responders may not be able to get to people staying.

For those who won't heed the order, Bay County Commission Chairman Bill Dozier them to get supplies now and be self-sufficient.

"Prepare for your personal need. Stock up your water," Dozier said. "If somebody was to stay here, they need to be able to take care of themselves for a period of time. ... Don't expect the government to help take care of you. You need to take care of yourself."

That being said, all aircraft are being evacuated from Tyndall as a precaution. No people yet, though.

I have a reservation at a condo beginning Tuesday through Sunday. What are authorities recommending for people coming to the area for vacation?

With an evacuation order in place -- which impacts all of Panama City Beach -- officials are advising people to pick another time for their vacation.

"It's certainly not the best time to come down. Look at revisiting your plans to vacation here in Bay County and Panama City Beach," said County Commissioner Bill Dozier. "Sometime next week this will move past us and clear out. Continue to keep an eye on the local websites in Panama City Beach. They'll find another time for their vacation."

Where are emergency shelters on Panama City Beach?

Deane Bozeman School 13410 FL-77, Panama City is being opened as an emergency shelter Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Bay County uses public schools for storm shelters. The locations are picked based on the nature of the event as well as school constructions and renovations. To find out which school is being used in any given event, call 784-4000 or stay tuned to local media.

Would Orlando be a good spot to evacuate to?

It's hard to say where a "good spot" to evacuate to is at this point in time (noon on Monday) as the storm's path is still being watched.

Bay County emergency services said, "Each person will need to determine their own evacuation plan. They will need to review the available maps and forecast information from the National Hurricane Center. Currently, these maps show affects for nearly all of Florida."

This answer could change.

Where can we get sandbags for our houses?

--Lynn Haven is making sand available to resident from 12 to 6 p.m. today at the Lynn Haven Sports Complex. There is a limit of 10 bags per household and you must bring a form of ID. People are encourage to bring their own bags.

--Panama City Beach is making sand available at the wastewater treatment plant on Gulf Boulevard. They are offering 15 to 20 bags per person to be filled on site.

--The County is making sand available at the north side of Deer Point Dam and at Pete Edwards Field off Thomas Drive in Panama City Beach. People need to bring their own bags.

Any word if the court house will be open Tuesday and Wednesday? and Is the juvenile courthouse closed tomorrow and will they be rescheduling court dates?

The Bay County Courthouse and Bay County Clerk of Court will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, with a tentative opening on Thursday.